Thursday, 30 August 2012

A message from the Director. This season we have had such excellent feed back from our visitors. I like to be out and about in the Park as much as possible and on closing up in the evenings I like to chat to our guests and ask them how they enjoyed their day and how they heard about us and is this their first visit to the Park etc.. The comment that is repeated over and over again is…We have lived on the Island for years and never visited you. Cannot believe how beautiful this Park is… Another repeated comment is… We have been coming to the Island for years and never even heard of you and just didn’t really think about visiting you. The marketing department are trying to rack their brains as to how do we overcome this. What is wrong with our advertising. One lady only yesterday on the way out said… We have been visiting the Island many many times and just didn’t think about visiting you.A lady on the beach recommended the Park so we have come on her recommendation. It is so beautiful – a hidden Island treasure is how she phrased it!We are tucked away down a country lane but I quite like that. The location is stunning! The sea views from our car park and other areas in the Park are breath taking. On a clear day the Solent, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world is full of activity and colour from all the yachts and sail boats ~ we are so very lucky to have such a beautiful back drop.Letters are sent, emails are written and now poems about our Wildlife Park by the sea are being sent in. Today, I received an email from a hotelier on the Island who said…“We had a stream of excellent reports of the Wildlife Park from our guests here at Seahaven - they rated you second only to Osborne House (but above Carrisbrooke Castle!!) in our list of island attractions. The kids have particularly liked it.”Check out some of our guests comments on Trip Advisor“The best IOW animal attraction” Reviewed 25 August 2012 NEW
We have visited the island 3 times now with our children and its the only attraction we have visited every time. It is very well kept and allows children to get really close to the animals. We love the wallaby's and the parrot feeding the best. It has become a firm family favourite and I would highly recommend it.

“Well Deserved Top Rating - Brilliant Attraction” Reviewed 24 August 2012 NEW via mobile
We visited Seaview after a relative suggested it. With an abundance of similar establishments on the IoW we probably would not have chosen to go here - which would have been a huge shame. From arrival to departure, we were nothing but impressed with Seaview. The staff member at reception was helpful and all other staff we encountered were similarly friendly and helpful. We walked round the enclosures, feeding the ducks (very tame, and hungry!) before stopping to have some lunch in the cafe. The food was homecooked and tasty, and the staff really made us feel that our service was valued. Nothing was too much trouble. Having a toddler, I am always sceptical about high chairs, but they were clean and well maintained. We were advised that our food would be 20 minutes but actually came quicker. I had a jacket potato with chilli, which also came with a side salad - proper salad leaves, cucumber slices and real tomato! The portions were plentiful and the chilli was beautiful! The cafe was spotless, hardly surprising seeing as one staff member spent the entire time we were there clearing up, wiping tables and checking customers were ok both inside and outside (you don't see that in many places anymore!). We decided to see the Wallabies being fed but this was so popular (and we were a bit late) that we couldn't get in, so saw the meerkats instead and went back 10 minutes later - only to find the staff member still there, continuing to hand out food to people and encourage the wallabies to take the food. Watching her play with a wallaby baby in its mother's pouch was an example of the devotion the staff here have to their job. We fed a small wallaby towards the end of the session. All in all, one of the very best attractions we have ever been to - would thoroughly recommend. “Thoroughly Enjoyed” Reviewed 25 August 2012 NEW
My partner and I (no children involved!) thoroughly enjoyed our trip here. We were like kids ourselves, feeding the ducks and enjoying the antics of the penguins, wallabies, monkeys, alpacas, meerkats, waterfowl, otters, pigs, pets corner etc. The parking was excellent, well organised, entry quick, lots of places to sit, walkways marked and clear, and considering the numbers of birds there, hardly any poo to step into! You can mingle with a lot of the animals/birds which added to the enjoyment, and I noticed how many youngsters took great delight in the simple act of feeding the ducks. All in all, a great time was had.

“Fantastic day out!” Reviewed 26 August 2012 NEW
A great opportunity to get up close and personal to lots of different small animals. Particularly like feeding the wallabies. Very knowledgeable keepers and clean and tidy around the park.

“A great family day out” Reviewed 20 August 2012
We had the fortune of spending a day out with our daughter's family at this attraction. From the word go it had a friendly family orientated feel and it got better and better. We spent the whole day there and at no time were we lost for something new and interesting. Our grandsons (9 years and nearly 2 years) were delighted with the experience and the ability to handle some of the animals, (especially the wallabies), added a different dimension to the day. The restaurant and ice cream parlour were very reasonably priced and other facilities were all to a high standard. All in all a very good day out.

Thank you to our guests that post such positive comments. It is certainly a morale boost for our team here who without their hard work and dedication the Park wouldn’t run so efficiently. The comments in our visitors book are pretty amazing too….“ Read about the Park on Trip Advisor. We all agree it has been fantastic. It is a pleasure to see it so well kept and all the wildlife so happy. Thanks ““ Fantastic family day out. Thank you for the memories ““ We had an amazing encounter with the meerkats. Our ‘ keeper ‘ made it a very good experience – extremely friendly and knowledgable”“ Such a rare treat to be allowed to get so close to the animals. My meerkat experience was the best birthday present I’ve every had ““ Mum, Dad & kids loved it here. Worth every penny. Children said ‘ best place ever’ Well done ““ Lovely day, came again. Beautiful atmosphere, well kept and it shows with the trust from the happy, friendly creatures. ““ A fab day out. Lovely encounters with the animals, friendly staff and great food. A superb visit. Thank you ““ Very friendly place. Friendly hosts – and the staff!! Enjoyed seeing the animals in their natural – like habitats and not in small cages. Would definitely come here again as there is so much to see. Very nice family unit here. Pleasure to visit. Thanks for a great day!”Thank you to all our guests for their positive support and a big thank you to our wonderful team for all of their hard work to ensure the smooth running of the Park.Lorraine AdamsDirector

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Over the past two days we’ve had five more Wildlife Encounters here at the Park – three “Combo Encounters” (where guests enjoy one-on-one time with the Penguins and then the Meerkats); a Meerkat Encounter (up-close and personal time with the Meerkats) and a Junior Wildlife Experience (two hours of action-packed close-up time for our younger guests (aged 6-15) spending time with a whole range of animals!)

Brothers Ralph and Lorcan (above) were treated to a “Combo Encounter” by their parents - to round off their two week holiday here on the Isle of Wight. We got caught in a very heavy downpour in between spending time with the Penguins and Meerkats so took shelter in “Pets Corner” where the boys enjoyed some unscheduled cuddles with some of the smaller furry animals!

Gary and Maureen Faas (above) are on holiday from Perth in Australia and braved the showers this afternoon (Wednesday) to have a “Combo Experience” – they really seemed to have a great time – lots of enthusiasm and smiles!

Zara Napier (above) was treated to a Junior Wildlife Experience by her Grandma, Margaret, this afternoon (Wednesday) as part of her 10th birthday present. Despite the rain Zara had a really good time interacting with all the animals and birds we could possibly fit in to the two hours!

We came slightly late so sadly missed feeding the Pink-Backed Pelicans fishWe fed the Macaws with their plumage so brightWatching them eat out nuts was a wonderful sightWe then had the pleasure to stroke and hold animals whose blood was coldIt was amazing to feed the Wallabies around our feet and the tiny Joey was so sweetWe watched the Meerkats have their lunch and stood close enough to hear them munchWe stroked a Ferret and a Rabbit so big before we cuddled a Guinea PigWe then heard the Otters squeak and squeal on closer inspection they were having their mealWe fed the penguins with fish so slippy the star of the show was cheeky little DippyAll of the animals were tame some you could even call by nameThe friendly staff helped make our day but sadly now we must make our wayA wonderul wildlife park right by the seaA perfect day out with my family

Lucy Vale first worked at the Park last summer on a two week Work Experience Placement assisting the Animal Care Team. Lucy is studying to be a vet at Liverpool University and lives on the Island. Lucy ‘learnt the ropes’ so quickly and fitted in so well with the Team that we asked if she would be able to assist us again this year. Lucy was really keen to ‘come on board’ as a temporary Animal Care Team member this summer; she started with us early July and is finishing up next week – early September. Lucy has been such an asset to the Team and we’ll all miss her sunny smile and gentle competency. Hopefully this isn’t goodbye and that there will be future opportunities to work together again. We all join in wishing Lucy every success with her next year of veterinary studies.

Monday, 27 August 2012

Over the August Bank Holiday Weekend there have been some great Wildlife Encounters going on here at Seaview Wildlife!On Friday (24th August) Carol, Steven, Katie and Emma Sims enjoyed a Penguin Encounter:

Mia Bailey (below, from Derby) was treated to a Meerkat Encounter for her 10th birthday present. Mia said she loved it!On Saturday 25th August Sarah Laker and Joe Welch (below) took part in a Combo Encounter – and thoroughly enjoyed getting up close to both the Penguins and Meerkats!On Saturday afternoon, Sarah Hughs (aged 17 and Megan Goodey (aged 8, both pictured below) enjoyed their own special Meerkat Encounter whilst on a mini-break from Farnborough.Lee Grabes (aged 9, below) was given a complete surprise by his family when he was treated to a Junior Wildlife Experience on Sunday!

Then today, Bank Holiday Monday, we welcomed Elliot Brown (below) who was given a Junior Wildlife Experience by his Mum for his 8th birthday present. Elliot said he enjoyed the whole experience but particularly like the Meerkats:Justine Walker (below) was treated to a Meerkat Encounter as a birthday present from her partner, Reg, who had a Wildlife Encounter for his birthday in July and loved it!

Last but not least for the Bank Holiday of Wildlife Encounters were Rhiannon (aged 9) and Dominic (aged 11) Billingham (below) who are on holiday from the Midlands. This was there first visit to the Park and they were treated to a Penguin Encounter. Rhiannon had the best Penguin hat!

Sunday, 26 August 2012

The Times featured a nice article on August 20th, 2012 about our Wallabies and Sun cream! Here it is…..

PALE ANTIPODEANS AT RISK FROM FIERCE BRITISH SUNSHINE

SEAVIEW: Not many people would rate the Isle Of WIght as sunnier than Australia, but the albino Bennett’s Wallabies there still need sunblock.

Lorraine Adams, Director at Seaview Wildlife Encounter, said “ Our albino wallabies have very delicate skin and are susceptible to skin cancers. They’re native to Australia and Tasmania, so obviously the survival rate is not that high over there. Our vets said we should put a really high SPF 50 on them all year round”.

She is, however, realistic about the Island’s climate. “ Obviously on a grey day when it’s teeming with rain we don’t do it.”

Grace Turner Member of the Animal Care Team applying Sun Block to the Wallabies

We have been very lucky with the weather here at the park over the last week, in between the odd downpour we have had some glorious spells of sunshine! All the keepers here enjoy photography and the park is a great place to practice this hobby. The afternoon is often a great time to watch the animals as they are relaxing, and so we managed to take a few photos of some of them enjoying the sun!